Q&A

I currently live in Alberta, and have my car licensed and insured in Alberta. My husband and I are moving back to Ontario and I was just wondering if our Alberta insurance will transfer over. My husband seems convinced that we can drive the car with our Alberta plates, and insurance once were relocated to Ontario. I personally want to get our car some Ontario license plates, and my husband once again thinks that we can get our car licensed while having Alberta insurance.
Basically, in order to drive our car in Ontario, will we have to switch the plates and insurance? Or are we able to drive on our current insurance and plates until they expire, then get Ontario stuff?

A

If you are moving to Ontario you are correct that you will need to change your driver's license, license plates and registration from Alberta over to Alberta.

According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO), if you are a new resident in Ontario and have a valid driver's license from another province, state or country, you can use it for up to 60 days after you move to Ontario. If you want to keep driving in Ontario, you must get an Ontario driver's license. You must use your Ontario license when you are issued one.

Also the MTO notes that new Ontario residents have 30 days before they have to register their vehicles and get Ontario license plates and vehicle permit. The MTO site tells motorist how to license a car in Ontario that is registered in another jurisdiction and how to exchange your Alberta driver's license to one from Ontario.

Most vehicles on Ontario roads must be registered, insured and maintained to meet certain basic standards. If you own a vehicle, you are responsible for making sure it meets the requirements. Once you are a new resident of Ontario you need to change over your car's registration, plates and your own driver's license. As you are probably aware to get your car registered and plated in Ontario you will need Ontario insurance on it.

Ontario has compulsory automobile insurance. Before you can attach plates to a vehicle or renew your registration, or buy a temporary (trip) permit, the vehicle must be insured. In Ontario, private companies provide insurance coverage.

All vehicles must be insured for third party liability for at least $200,000. This covers you in the event that you injure or kill someone or damage someone's property. Collision insurance to cover damage to your own vehicle is a good idea but not required by law.

So you will need Ontario insurance to register your car in Ontario which you are required to do within 30 days of moving to Ontario. Out of province insurance, like your Alberta insurance policy, are not accepted, it must be a policy from Ontario. Also it is unlikely that your Alberta insurance would continue to cover you once you move to Ontario since it is a different province and thus your location and risk factors have changed for your insurer.

You or your husband can contact the Ontario MTO directly to get information on how to switch over your driver's license, plates, registration, etc and your husband can talk to an MTO representative if he needs to be convinced that the change over needs to be done once you relocate.

0 Responses to "I currently live in Alberta, and have my car licensed and insured in Alberta. My husband and I are moving back to Ontario and I was just wondering if our Alberta insurance will transfer over. My husband seems convinced that we can drive the car with our Alberta plates, and insurance once were relocated to Ontario. I personally want to get our car some Ontario license plates, and my husband once again thinks that we can get our car licensed while having Alberta insurance.
Basically, in order to drive our car in Ontario, will we have to switch the plates and insurance? Or are we able to drive on our current insurance and plates until they expire, then get Ontario stuff?"

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